For some minutes the boy stood in deep deliberation, scarcely
daring to knock at the door, lest some of the housebreakers should be
already concealed near the spot, and rush upon him before it was opened,
or else enter with him into the defenceless dwelling. But at length he
gave one very quiet rap with his fingers, and after a minute's pause his
heart bounded with joy as he heard Miss Anne herself asking who was
there.
'Stephen Fern,' he answered, with his lips close to the keyhole, and
speaking in his lowest tones.
'What is the matter, Stephen?' she asked. 'I cannot open the door, for
my uncle always takes the keys with him into his own room.'
'Please to take the light into the pantry for one minute,' he whispered
cautiously, with a fervent hope that Miss Anne would do so without
requiring any further explanations; for he was lost if Black Thompson or
Davies were lying in wait near at hand. Very thankfully he heard Miss
Anne's step across the quarried floor, and in a moment afterwards the
light shone through a low window close by. It was unglazed, with a
screen of open lattice-work over it so as to allow of free ventilation.
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